The Golden State Warriors remain the only NBA team that has not added a veteran free agent this offseason.
As it currently stands, the Warriors only have nine players under contract as they continue to wait for disgruntled restricted free agent Jonathan Kuminga.
While their free agent options have shrunk, there are still big names out there who are left unsigned. One of them is former No. 1 pick Ben Simmons, whom Bleacher Report’s salary cap expert Eric Pincus views as an “interesting fit” with the Warriors.
It’s hard to believe but Simmons is a year removed from a max contract. Last year, he was let go by the Brooklyn Nets to sign with the Clippers for the end-of-season playoff run.
He played 18 games for the Clippers, averaging 2.9 points and 3.1 assists per game in 16.4 minutes. Those numbers dipped in the playoffs, as his time was cut almost in half. And now that L.A. has added John Collins and Chris Paul, Simmons doesn’t seem likely to return.
The Golden State Warriors could be an interesting fit for Simmons in a reserve Draymond Green-like role.
Ben Simmons Eye Redemption
Getty Ben Simmons’ stock is at an all-time low.
Simmons’ fall from grace is a fascinating story.
The 6-foot-10 three-time All-Star has fallen off the cliff since he left Philadelphia over mental health and mysterious back issues. His once promising career went south in Brooklyn.
Last season, he averaged 6.2 points, 5.2 rebounds and 6.9 assists in his final 33 games in Brooklyn. He only played 17 games for the Clippers and was an afterthought, averaging career lows 2.9 points, 3.8 rebounds and 3.1 assists.
While Simmons has the size and the playmaking chops that could help the Warriors, his lack of an outside shot makes him a clunky fit unless they surround him with shooters.
According to Brett Siegel of ClutchPoints, Simmons is expected to be a minimum contract player after the lackluster final two seasons of his previous maximum contract.
“As for Simmons, he is expected to be a minimum-contract player during the 2025-26 season. Throughout his career, the former first-overall pick has thrived in systems where there are viable, reliable shooters around him. After being a rumored Warriors target in the past, Simmons could give Golden State everything they need in terms of height, rebounding, and playmaking outside of Steph,” Siegel wrote on July 12.
Backcourt Defense a Priority
Golden State general manager Mike Dunleavy Jr. revealed what the Warriors have been looking for this offseason.
“I think we learned a lot about the team this past year, especially since we’ve added Jimmy [Butler],” Dunleavy told ESPN’s Katie George during halftime of the Warriors’ NBA Summer League opener in Las Vegas on July 11. “We feel like we have a group going forward that’s going to be pretty good. What do we need to add? I think from that standpoint, we want to look to the frontcourt to add some shooting, in the backcourt some defense.
“Offensively, guys that can shoot, pass and dribble. There’s tons of needs, but I think we’ve zeroed in on some areas that we can address. As the summer unfolds, we’ll continue to try and do that.”
A two-time All-Defensive First Team, Simmons can shore up the Warriors’ backcourt defense.
But first, they have to settle the unresolved Kuminga situation that is putting their offseason on hold.
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